Emergency autoload system

ABSTRACT

Autoland systems and processes for landing an aircraft without pilot intervention are described. In implementations, the autoland system includes a memory operable to store one or more modules and at least one processor coupled to the memory. The processor is operable to execute the one or more modules to identify a plurality of potential destinations for an aircraft. The processor can also calculate a merit for each potential destination identified, select a destination based upon the merit; receive terrain data and/or obstacle data, the including terrain characteristic(s) and/or obstacle characteristic(s); and create a route from a current position of the aircraft to an approach fix associated with the destination, the route accounting for the terrain characteristic(s) and/or obstacle characteristic(s). The processor can also cause the aircraft to traverse the route, and cause the aircraft to land at the destination without requiring pilot intervention.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) ofU.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 62/301,285, entitled EMERGENCYAUTOLAND SYSTEM, filed on Feb. 29, 2016. U.S. Provisional ApplicationSer. No. 62/301,285 is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

Integrated avionics systems replace mechanical and electro-mechanicalinstrument gauges and controls historically used in aircraft with one ormore electronic displays for displaying primary flight information suchas attitude, altitude, heading, vertical speed, and so forth, to thepilot, and/or receiving command inputs from the pilot for controllingaircraft systems. Integrated avionics systems may include one or moreprimary flight displays (PFD) and one or more multifunction displays(MFD). Further, integrated avionics systems may provide one or morecontrollers, such as one or more avionics control and display units(CDU), which may provide a user interface (e.g., a touch interface) toallow the aircraft's flight crew (e.g., a pilot and/or a co-pilot) tocontrol the operation of the aircraft via the PFD and/or the MFD and toview navigation information related to the route the aircraft istraversing. Integrated avionics systems also allow the flight crew tocontrol operation of the aircraft's systems manually via the PFD, theMFD, or other controls.

SUMMARY

Autoland systems and processes for landing an aircraft without pilotintervention are described. In implementations, the autoland systemincludes a memory operable to store one or more modules and at least oneprocessor coupled to the memory. The processor is operable to executethe one or more modules to identify a plurality of potentialdestinations for an aircraft. The processor can also calculate a meritfor each potential destination identified, select a destination basedupon the merit; receive terrain data and/or obstacle data, the includingterrain characteristic(s) and/or obstacle characteristic(s); and createa route from a current position of the aircraft to an approach fixassociated with the destination, the route accounting for the terraincharacteristic(s) and/or obstacle characteristic(s). The processor canalso cause the aircraft to traverse the route, and cause the aircraft toland at the destination without requiring pilot intervention.

In another implementation, the autoland system includes a memoryoperable to store one or more modules, and at least one processorcoupled to the memory and operably coupled to at least one of an engineof the aircraft, a braking system of the aircraft, or a control columnof the aircraft. The processor is operable to execute the one or moremodules to cause the processor to identify potential destinations for anaircraft. The processor can also calculate a merit for each destinationidentified; select a destination based upon the merit; receive terraindata and/or obstacle data, the including terrain characteristic(s)and/or obstacle characteristic(s); and create a route from a currentposition of the aircraft to an approach fix associated with thedestination, the route accounting for the terrain characteristic(s)and/or obstacle characteristic(s). The processor can also cause theaircraft to traverse the route by actuating at least one of the engineor the control column in accordance with the route, and cause theaircraft to land on a at the destination without requiring pilotintervention.

In one or more implementations, a process for autolanding an aircraftincludes identifying potential destinations for an aircraft. The processalso includes calculating a merit for each destination identified;selecting a destination based upon the merit; receive terrain dataand/or obstacle data, the including terrain characteristic(s) and/orobstacle characteristic(s); and create a route from a current positionof the aircraft to an approach fix associated with the destination, theroute accounting for the terrain characteristic(s) and/or obstaclecharacteristic(s). The process also includes causing the aircraft totraverse the route, and causing the aircraft to land at the destinationwithout requiring pilot intervention.

This Summary is provided solely as an introduction to subject matterthat is fully described in the Detailed Description and Drawings. TheSummary should not be considered to describe essential features nor beused to determine the scope of the Claims. Moreover, it is to beunderstood that both the foregoing Summary and the following DetailedDescription are example and explanatory only and are not necessarilyrestrictive of the subject matter claimed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The detailed description is described with reference to the accompanyingfigures. The use of the same reference numbers in different instances inthe description and the figures may indicate similar or identical items.

FIG. 1A is an illustration depicting a representative example instrumentpanel of an aircraft including an integrated avionics system configuredin accordance with various implementations of the present disclosure.

FIG. 1B is a block diagram depicting an implementation of the exampleintegrated avionics system shown in FIG. 1A.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram depicting an example multi-product avionicscontrol and display unit (CDU) suitable for use by the integratedavionics system shown in FIGS. 1A through 1B.

FIGS. 3A and 3B are illustrations of an avionics control and displayunit (CDU) where various display attributes of navigational informationare conveyed relating to routing of an aircraft during an emergencysituation in accordance with an example implementation of the presentdisclosure.

FIGS. 4A and 4B are illustrations of a primary flight display (PFD)where various display attributes of navigational information areconveyed relating to routing of an aircraft during an emergencysituation in accordance with an example implementation of the presentdisclosure.

FIGS. 5A and 5B are illustrations of a multifunction display (MFD) wherevarious display attributes of navigational information are conveyedrelating to routing of an aircraft during an emergency situation inaccordance with an example implementation of the present disclosure.

FIG. 6 is an example table illustrating example status information andassociated descriptions for conveying at a display screen, such as thedisplay screens illustrated in FIGS. 5A, 5B, 7, 8, and 10A, inaccordance with example implementations of the present disclosure.

FIGS. 7 and 8 are illustrations of a multifunction display (MFD) wherevarious display attributes of status information, such as statusinformation illustrated in FIG. 6, and instructional information toconvey to a passenger in the event of an emergency in accordance with anexample implementation of the present disclosure.

FIG. 9 is an example table illustrating instructional informationrelating to a next action to be taken during an emergency situation thatcan be conveyed to a passenger at a display screen, such as the displayscreens illustrated in FIGS. 5A, 5B, 7, 8, and 10A, in accordance withexample implementations of the present disclosure.

FIGS. 10A and 10B are illustrations of a multifunction display (MFD)where various display attributes of status information conveying failureof autoland functionality in accordance with an example implementationof the present disclosure.

FIG. 11 illustrates an example table providing example status updatesthat can be conveyed at a display screen, such as the display screensillustrated in FIGS. 5A, 5B, 7, 8, and 10A, in accordance with exampleimplementations of the present disclosure.

FIG. 12 is an example flow diagram illustrating an example process forautolanding an aircraft in an emergency situation in accordance with anexample implementation of the present disclosure.

FIG. 13 is an example flow diagram illustrating an example process fordetermining an endurance of an aircraft in accordance with an exampleimplementation of the present disclosure.

FIG. 14 is an example flow diagram illustrating an example process foridentifying one or more airports within a range of travel of theaircraft based upon the endurance of the aircraft, as described in FIG.13, in accordance with an example implementation of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 15 is an example flow diagram illustrating an example process forselecting a destination airport based upon one or more merits associatedwith the identified airports, such as the airports identified utilizingthe process illustrated in FIG. 14, in accordance with an exampleimplementation of the present disclosure.

FIG. 16 is an example flow diagram illustrating an example process forcreating a route from a current position of an aircraft to a destinationairport, such as the destination airport determined utilizing theprocess described in FIG. 15, in accordance with an exampleimplementation of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Overview

Electronic devices, such as integrated avionics systems, are typicallyutilized by one or more members of a flight crew (e.g., the pilot and/orthe co-pilot) to navigate an aircraft. Integrated avionics systems mayemploy primary flight display(s) (PFDs) and multifunction display(s)(MI-Ds) to furnish primary flight control, navigational, and otherinformation to the flight crew of the aircraft. Additionally, theintegrated avionics systems may also employ an avionics control anddisplay unit (CDU) that is configured to provide control functionalityto the PFD and/or the MFD and to convey navigation informationrepresenting an area the aircraft is traversing. While integratedavionics systems may provide the functionality flight crew and/orautopilot navigation of the aircraft, these systems lack the ability toland the aircraft without pilot and/or co-pilot intervention (e.g., inan emergency situation).

Accordingly, autoland systems and processes for landing an aircraftwithout pilot intervention are described. In implementations, theautoland system includes a memory operable to store one or more modulesand at least one processor coupled to the memory. The processor isoperable to execute the one or more modules to identify a plurality ofpotential destinations for an aircraft. The processor can also calculatea merit for each potential destination identified; select a destinationbased upon the merit; receive terrain data and/or obstacle data, theincluding terrain characteristic(s) and/or obstacle characteristic(s);and create a route from a current position of the aircraft to anapproach fix associated with the destination, the route accounting forthe terrain characteristic(s) and/or obstacle characteristic(s). Theprocessor can also cause the aircraft to traverse the route, and causethe aircraft to land at the destination without requiring pilotintervention.

In another implementation, the autoland system includes a memoryoperable to store one or more modules, and at least one processorcoupled to the memory and operably coupled to at least one of an engineof the aircraft, a braking system of the aircraft, or a control columnof the aircraft. The processor is operable to execute the one or moremodules to cause the processor to identify potential destinations for anaircraft. The processor can also calculate a merit for each destinationidentified, select a destination based upon the merit; receive terraindata and/or obstacle data, the including terrain characteristic(s)and/or obstacle characteristic(s); and create a route from a currentposition of the aircraft to an approach fix associated with thedestination, the route accounting for the terrain characteristic(s)and/or obstacle characteristic(s). The processor can also cause theaircraft to traverse the route by actuating at least one of the engineor the control column in accordance with the route, and cause theaircraft to land on a at the destination without requiring pilotintervention.

In one or more implementations, a process for autolanding an aircraftincludes identifying potential destinations for an aircraft. The processalso includes calculating a merit for each destination identified;selecting a destination based upon the merit; receive terrain dataand/or obstacle data, the including terrain characteristic(s) and/orobstacle characteristic(s); and create a route from a current positionof the aircraft to an approach fix associated with the destination, theroute accounting for the terrain characteristic(s) and/or obstaclecharacteristic(s). The process also includes causing the aircraft totraverse the route, and causing the aircraft to land at the destinationwithout requiring pilot intervention.

Example Implementations

FIGS. 1A and 1B illustrate an example implementation of an integratedavionics system 100 within an aircraft. The integrated avionics system100 may include one or more primary flight displays (PI-Ds) 102, one ormore multifunction displays (MFD) 104, and one or more multi-productavionics control and display units (CDU) 106. For instance, in theimplementation illustrated in FIG. 1A, the integrated avionics system100 may be configured for use in an aircraft that is flown by two pilots(e.g., a pilot and a copilot). In this implementation, the integratedavionics system 100 may include a first PFD 102(1), a second PFD 102(2),an MFD 104, a first CDU 106(1), a second CDU 106(2), and a third CDU106(3) that are mounted in the aircraft's instrument panel 108. Asshown, the MFD 104 is mounted generally in the center of the instrumentpanel 108 so that it may be accessed by either pilot (e.g., by eitherthe pilot or the copilot). The first PFD 102(1) and the first CDU 106(1)are mounted in the instrument panel 108 generally to the left of the MFD104 for viewing and access by the pilot. Similarly, the second PFD102(2) and the second CDU 106(2) are mounted in the instrument panel 108generally to the right of the MFD 104 for viewing and access by theaircraft's copilot or other crew member or passenger. The third CDU106(3) may be mounted between the first and second CDUs 106(1), 106(2).In implementations, the CDUs 106 may be positioned within the instrumentpanel 108 so that they may be readily viewed and/or accessed by thepilot flying the aircraft (which could be either the pilot or copilot).

The PFDs 102 may be configured to display primary flight information,such as aircraft attitude, altitude, heading, vertical speed, and soforth. In implementations, the PFDs 102 may display primary flightinformation via a graphical representation of basic flight instrumentssuch as an attitude indicator, an airspeed indicator, an altimeter, aheading indicator, a course deviation indicator, and so forth. The PFDs102 may also display other information providing situational awarenessto the pilot such as terrain information, ground proximity warninginformation, and so forth.

As shown in FIG. 1B, primary flight information may be generated by oneor more flight sensor data sources including, for example, one or moreattitude, heading, angular rate, and/or acceleration information sourcessuch as attitude and heading reference systems (AHRS) 110, one or moreair data information sources such as air data computers (ADCs) 112,and/or one or more angle of attack information sources. For instance,the AHRSs 110 may be configured to provide information such as attitude,rate of turn, slip and skid; while the ADCs 112 may be configured toprovide information including airspeed, altitude, vertical speed, andoutside air temperature. Other configurations are possible.

Integrated avionics units (IAUs) may aggregate the primary flightinformation from the AHRS 110 and ADC 112 and, in one exampleconfiguration, provide the information to the PFDs 102 via an avionicsdata bus 116. In other examples, the various IAUs may directlycommunicate with either other and other system components. The IAUs mayalso function as a combined communications and navigation radio. Forexample, the IAUs may include a two-way VHF communications transceiver,a VHF navigation receiver with glide slope, a global positioning system(GPS) receiver, and so forth. As shown, each integrated avionics unitmay be paired with a primary flight display, which may function as acontrolling unit for the integrated avionic unit. In implementations,the avionics data bus 116 may comprise a high speed data bus (HSDB),such as data bus complying with ARINC 429 data bus standard promulgatedby the Airlines Electronic Engineering Committee (AEEC), a MIL-STD-1553compliant data bus, and so forth. A radar altimeter may be associatedwith one or more of the IAUs, such as via data bus 116 or a directconnection, to provide precise elevation information (e.g., height aboveground) for autoland functionality. For example, in some configurations,the system 100 includes a radar altimeter to assist the autoland module214 in various functions of the landing sequence, such as timing andmaintaining the level-off and/or flare.

The MFD 104 displays information describing operation of the aircraftsuch as navigation routes, moving maps, engine gauges, weather radar,ground proximity warning system (GPWS) warnings, traffic collisionavoidance system (TCAS) warnings, airport information, and so forth,that are received from a variety of aircraft systems via the avionicsdata bus 116.

In implementations, the integrated avionics system 100 employs redundantsources of primary flight information to assure the availability of theinformation to the pilot, and to allow for cross-checking of the sourcesof the information. For example, the integrated avionics system 100illustrated in FIGS. 1A through 2 employs two PFDs 102 that receiveprimary flight information from redundant AHRSs 110 and ADCs 112 viaredundant IAUs. The integrated avionics system 100 is configured so thatthe first PFD 102(1) receives a first set of primary flight informationaggregated by a first IAU from a first AHRS 110(1) and ADC 112(1).Similarly, the second PFD 102(2) receives a second set of primary flightinformation aggregated by a second IAU from a second AHRS 110(2) and ADC112(2). Additionally, although a single avionics data bus 116 isillustrated in FIG. 1B, it is contemplated that redundant data buses maybe employed for communication between the various components of theintegrated avionics system 100.

In implementations, primary flight information provided by either thefirst AHRS 110(1) and ADC 112(1) or the second AHRS 110(2) and ADC112(2) may be displayed on either PFD 102(1) or 102(2), or on the MFD104 upon determining that the primary flight information received fromeither AHRS 110 and ADC 112 is in error or unavailable. Reversionaryswitches 118 may be selected by the pilot to configure the PFDs 102 orMFD 104 to display primary flight information from either the first AHRS110(1) and ADC 112(1) or the second AHRS 110(2) and ADC(2). One or bothof the PFDs 102 may also be configured to display information shown onthe MFD 104 (e.g., engine gauges and navigational information), such asin the event of a failure of the MFD 104.

The integrated avionics system 100 may employ cross-checking of theprimary flight information (e.g., attitude information, altitudeinformation, etc.) to determine if the primary flight information to befurnished to either of the PFDs 102 is incorrect. In implementations,cross-checking may be accomplished through software-based automaticcontinual comparison of the primary flight information provided by theAHRS 110 and ADC 112. In this manner, a “miss-compare” condition can beexplicitly and proactively annunciated to warn the pilot when attitudeinformation displayed by either PFD 102 sufficiently disagrees. The CDUs106 may furnish a general purpose pilot interface to control theaircraft's avionics. For example, the CDUs 106 allow the pilots tocontrol various systems of the aircraft such as the aircraft's autopilotsystem, flight director (FD), electronic stability and protection (ESP)system, autothrottle, navigation systems, communication systems,engines, and so on, via the avionics data bus 116. In implementations,the CDUs 106 may also be used for control of the integrated avionicssystem 100 including operation of the PFD 102 and MFD 104. Inimplementations, one or both of the CDUs 106 may include a display 120.The display 120 of the CDU 106 may be used for the display ofinformation suitable for use by the pilot of the aircraft to control avariety of aircraft systems. Further, as discussed in greater detailherein below, the display 120 of the CDU may be configured to display acursor control area to facilitate manipulation of indicia displayed by adisplay device of the avionics system (e.g., a PFD 102 or MFD 104) viatouch input to the touch screen over the displayed cursor control area.

The CDUs 106 may be operable to provide independent standby primaryflight information to the pilot. The CDUs 106 may be configurable tooperate in a reversionary mode to provide standby primary flightinformation to the pilot(s) of the aircraft. When operating inreversionary mode, the display 120 of the CDU 106 is used to displaystandby primary flight information. As shown in FIG. 1B, standby primaryflight information, which may include information such as attitude,altitude, heading, vertical speed, and so forth, may be generated by astandby attitude and heading reference system (AHRS) 122 and a standbyair data computer (ADC) 124. Data generated by AHRS 122 and ADC 124 maybe provided to one or more of the CDUs 106 via a standby avionics databus 128. In implementations, one or more mode switches 130 may beselected by the pilot to cause any number of the CDUs 106 to operate inthe first mode to display standby primary flight information. Whileoperating in the reversionary mode, the CDUs 106 may be disconnectedfrom the avionics data bus 116 so that the CDUs 106 operateindependently of and communicatively isolated from the primarycomponents of the integrated avionics system 100 (e.g., the PFDs 102,the MFD 104, the AHRS 110, the ADCs 112, and so forth). For example, theCDUs 106 may not communicate with the avionics data bus 116 while in thefirst mode or may be physically disconnected from the avionics data bus116 (e.g., via the mode switch 130, and so on).

FIG. 2 illustrates a system 200 in an example implementation showing arepresentative CDU 106 of FIGS. 1A and 1B in greater detail. The CDU 106is illustrated as including a processor 202, a memory 204, one or moreavionics data bus interfaces 206, 208 and the display 120.

The processor 202 provides processing functionality for the CDU 106 andmay include any number of processors, micro-controllers, or otherprocessing systems and resident or external memory for storing data andother information accessed or generated by the CDU 106. The processor202 may execute one or more software programs which implement techniquesdescribed herein. The processor 202 is not limited by the materials fromwhich it is formed or the processing mechanisms employed therein, and assuch, may be implemented via semiconductor(s) and/or transistors (e.g.,electronic integrated circuits (ICs)), and so forth.

The memory 204 is an example of computer-readable media that providesstorage functionality to store various data associated with theoperation of the CDU 106, such as the software programs and codesegments mentioned above, or other data to instruct the processor 202and other elements of the CDU 106 to perform the functionality describedherein. Although a single memory 204 is shown, a wide variety of typesand combinations of memory may be employed. The memory 204 may beintegral with the processor 202, stand-alone memory, or a combination ofboth. The memory 204 may include, for example, removable andnon-removable memory elements such as RAM, ROM, Flash (e.g., SD Card,mini-SD card, micro-SD Card), magnetic, optical, USB memory devices, andso forth.

The avionics data bus interface 206 and the standby avionics data businterface 208 furnish functionality to enable the CDU 106 to communicatewith one or more avionics data buses such as the avionics data bus 116and standby avionics data bus 128, respectively, illustrated in FIG. 1B.In various implementations, the avionics data bus interface 206 andstandby avionics data bus interface 208 may include a variety ofcomponents, such as processors, memory, encoders, decoders, and soforth, and any associated software employed by these components (e.g.,drivers, configuration software, etc.).

The display 120 displays information to the pilot of the aircraft. Inimplementations, the display 120 may comprise an LCD (Liquid CrystalDiode) display, a TFT (Thin Film Transistor) LCD display, an LEP (LightEmitting Polymer or PLED (Polymer Light Emitting Diode)) display, acathode ray tube (CRT), and so forth, capable of displaying text and/orgraphical information, such as a graphical user interface. The display120 may be backlit via a backlight such that it may be viewed in thedark or other low-light environments.

The display 120 may include a touch interface, such as a touch screen210, that can detect a touch input within a specified area of thedisplay 120 for entry of information and commands. In implementations,the touch screen 210 may employ a variety of technologies for detectingtouch inputs. For example, the touch screen 210 may employ infraredoptical imaging technologies, resistive technologies, capacitivetechnologies, surface acoustic wave technologies, and so forth. Inimplementations, buttons, softkeys, keypads, knobs and so forth, may beused for entry of data and commands instead of or in addition to thetouch screen 210.

As shown in FIG. 2, the system 200 (i.e., a CDU 106) includes a powersource 212, such as a back-up power source, that is configured tofurnish power to at least partially power the system 200 in the eventthe aircraft loses primary power (e.g., primary power sources are nolonger furnishing power to the PFDs 102, the MFD 104, the CDUs 106, andthe instrument panel 108 of the aircraft). For example, the power source212 is configured to at least substantially power the system 200 whenthe aircraft is not powered by the primary power source during operationof the aircraft. In an implementation, the power source 212 comprises abattery that is configured to provide power to the CDU 106 when a lossof primary power is detected. For example, the power source 212 may beconfigured to furnish power automatically to the CDU 106 once theprimary power ceases, or at least substantially ceases, to power the CDU106 and/or the aircraft. In another example, the power source 212 may beconfigured to power the CDU 106 upon the pilot/co-pilot manually causingthe power source 212 to power the CDU 106. The back-up power source isconfigured to furnish power to a CDU 106 for a predetermined amount oftime to allow the pilot/co-pilot to utilize the CDU 106 for a limitedamount of time while the primary power is not available within theaircraft.

As shown, the system 100 includes an autoland module 214, which isstorable in the memory 204 and executable by the processor 202. Theautoland module 214 is representative of functionality that providesautomatic landing functionality for an aircraft. In one or moreimplementations, the autoland module 214 provides functionality thatprovides automatic landing functionality pertaining toairport/runway/approach selection, navigation to an approach whileavoiding terrain, obstacles, and/or weather having undesirablecharacteristics, automatic aircraft speed control, flare processes(e.g., vertical and lateral), braking and/or ground steering, and/orengine shutdown.

In one or more implementations, the autoland module 214 providesfunctionality to automatically engage (e.g., activate) an emergencyautoland process (see FIG. 12). For example, the autoland module 214continuously monitors whether a pilot has engaged (e.g., interfaced,actuated, interacted, etc.) with the CDUs 106 and/or a control wheel andcan automatically activate the emergency autoland process based upon oneor more engagement characteristics. In an implementation, the autolandmodule 214 activates the autoland process once a pilot has not engagedwith the CDUs 106 and/or the control wheel after a defined time period.The one or more engagement characteristics may comprise a pilotactuating one or more of the avionics equipment, continued engagement ofthe aircraft's autopilot system after a specified event (e.g., emergencydescent, predetermined length of time, etc.), continued activation ofESP such that the autopilot system has automatically engaged, and soforth.

In one or more implementations, the autoland module 214 canautomatically activate the emergency autoland process based upon theengagement characteristics and/or one or more flight characteristics(e.g., altitude of the aircraft, cabin altitude, cabin pressure,airspeed of the aircraft, flight plan, Winds and Temperature AloftForecast, time of night, length of flight, terrain height, anavigational input of the aircraft, etc.). For example, the autolandmodule 214 can detect when the cabin depressurizes below a predeterminedpressure threshold and can automatically activate emergency autolandprocesses. In some implementations, the flight characteristics can befurnished to the system 100 by a user (e.g., pilot). The flightcharacteristics can also be furnished to the autoland module 214 byother components internal to the system 100 (e.g., AHRS, ADCs, IDUs,other modules, etc.). In one or more implementations, the flightcharacteristics are stored within flight profile information 216, whichis storable in the memory 204 of the CDU 106.

In some implementations, the system 100 can issue an electroniccommunication notification based upon the engagement characteristicsand/or the flight characteristics. For example, the autoland module 214can cause the processor 202 to issue one or more notifications via thedisplay 120. Notifications may be displayed in text (e.g., “Awake?”),displayed with images, haptic (e.g., vibration alerts), aural (e.g.,beeps or spoken text), or communicated via another appropriate means tothe user.

In some implementations, the system 100 can receive feedback from thepilot(s) in response to the electronic communication notification. Forinstance, the autoland module 214 can cause the processor 202 to issuean electronic communication notification that can be dismissed by thepilot. In an example implementation, the processor can issue a textnotification asking if the pilot is awake. If the pilot is awake, he candismiss the alert. The autoland module 214 can then determine whether toengage emergency autoland processes based on the feedback received. Forexample, if the pilot dismisses the notification, the autoland module214 can withhold activation of emergency autoland processes. In anotherexample, if the pilot fails to dismiss the notification within apredetermined time period (e.g., approximately 0.5 seconds to 2minutes), the autoland module 214 can engage emergency autolandingprocesses as described herein. In some implementations, the system 100can issue escalating levels of electronic communication notifications.For example, the autoland module 214 can cause the processor 202 toissue a first notification (e.g., a text notification). If the pilotfails to dismiss the notification within a predetermined time period(e.g., approximately 0.5 seconds to approximately 2 minutes), theautoland module 214 can cause the processor 202 to issue one or moreadditional notifications (e.g., aural, hepatic, etc.). If the pilotfails to dismiss the notification after a predetermined time period(e.g., approximately 0.5 seconds to approximately 2 minutes), theautoland module 214 can engage emergency autoland processes.

In one or more implementations, the user (e.g., pilot, crew member) canactivate the emergency autoland processes manually. For example, thepilot can manually activate the emergency autoland processes in anemergency situation (e.g., emergency descent, depressurization, pilotincapacitation, etc.). The system 100 can include a switch (e.g.,guarded switch) or button configured for manually engaging the emergencyautoland processes.

Upon engagement of emergency autoland processes, the module autoland 214can cause the CDU 106 to engage one or more systems (e.g., autopilotsystem, flight director, autothrottle, ESP, EDM, etc.) for automaticallylanding the aircraft. For example, the CDU 106 can cause the autopilotsystem to guide the aircraft to the nearest airport, the highest rankedairport based on predetermined merit weighting, and/or on a calculatedroute. The autoland module 214 can cause the processor 202 to executeone or more processes to determine a destination and/or a route. In someembodiments, the processor 202 can execute an endurance process todetermine the aircraft's endurance based on usable fuel onboard theaircraft (endurance=current fuel/current total fuel flow). In exampleimplementations, the aircraft has manually selected tanks for fuelusage, and the avionics does not know which tank is selected, theprocessor 202 may utilize the tank with the least fuel for the endurancecalculation. In another implementation, if the aircraft has manuallyselected tanks and the avionics can identify which tank is selected,then the CDU 106 can utilize the selected tank for the endurancecalculation.

The autoland module 214 can use one or more destination selectionprocesses to identify potential destinations for the aircraft. Potentialdestinations can include an airport location, terrain features (e.g.,fields, landing fields, other open areas), bodies of water (e.g., lakes,seaports, etc.), and so forth. In some embodiments, airports within arange of travel of the aircraft are identified based upon a determinedendurance of the aircraft. For example, the module 214 can identifyairports within the range of travel of the aircraft. The autoland module214 can cause the processor 202 can identify any airports within apreselected distance from the aircraft. In some implementations, thepotential airports can be those within approximately 200 to 500 miles(depending on plane type). If there are no potential destinations withinthe range of travel of the aircraft, the processor 202 can identifypotential destinations outside of the range of travel, and the autolandmodule 214 may select the best available potential destination outsideof the range of travel. For example, the module 214 can select theclosest potential destination (e.g., the closest airport), the lastloaded origin, the last loaded destination, previously availabledestinations, and so forth. In some implementations, the autoland module214 can cause the processor 202 to eliminate any airports that are notappropriate candidates for landing. For example, the processor 202 caneliminate airports that have one or more configurable adverse landingcharacteristics. Adverse landing characteristics can include, but arenot necessarily limited to: airports that do not have at least one hardsurface runway, airports that are heliports only, airports that do nothave at least one acceptable approach (e.g., GPS approach to a runwaywith vertical guidance), and so forth.

In some implementations, the system 100 can also incorporate weatherdata (e.g., METAR, Terminal Doppler Weather Radar (TDWR), terminalaerodrome forecast (TAF), etc.) received from each airport (or from anearby airport should weather data not be available) in selectingpotential airports. For example, the autoland module 214 can receiveMETAR data from one or more of the components internal to the system 100(e.g., AHRS, ADCs, IDUs, other modules, etc.). The autoland module 214can cause the processor 202 to eliminate airports with unfavorableweather conditions. For example, the processor 202 can treat unfavorableweather conditions as an adverse landing characteristic and eliminatethose airports from the potential airports.

The autoland module 214 can then execute one or more merit processes todetermine a merit for each potential destination. For example, theautoland module 214 can cause processor 202 to calculate one or moremerits for each airport runway based on a variety of runway attributes.Runway attributes can include, but are not necessarily limited to: finalapproach coarse alignment with the runway, runway characteristics (e.g.,runway length, runway width, approach vertical angle (e.g., flight pathangle), gradient, etc.), weather conditions (e.g., weather rating (e.g.,instrument flight rules (IFR), visual flight rules (VFR), etc.), gust,precipitation level, precipitation type, etc.), attributes specific tothe airport (e.g., airport with a tower, airports that anchor class Bairspace, exclusively military airports, etc.), travel time to airport,(e.g., estimated time enroute (ETE)), and so forth. The autoland module214 can cause the processor 202 can calculate a merit value for eachattribute. For example, the processor 202 can assign each attribute amerit value in the range of −1.0 to 1.0, with 1.0 representing an idealrunway. Negative merit values can be considered to be out of limits. Insome implementations, the processor 202 can determine a final approachcourse alignment runway merit for a runway corresponding to eachpotential destination airport. For example, the processor 202 cancalculate the degrees of misalignment of the aircraft with the runway.In some implementations, the processor 202 can eliminate runways thatexceed a preselected maximum misalignment threshold (e.g., 25 degrees to35 degrees of misalignment). The processor 202 can also determine anairport attribute runway merit for each potential destination airport.For example, the processor 202 can assign a high merit value to airportswith towers, as the presence of a tower can indicate that the airporthas emergency facilities. The processor 202 can assign low merit valuesto airports that anchor class B airspace and/or exclusively militaryairports. The processor 202 can also determine a travel time runwaymerit for a runway corresponding to each potential destination airport.In example implementations, the processor 202 can calculate time torunway using groundspeed along a selected path from the wind trianglebased on wind speed and/or wind direction. The processor 202 can alsocalculate a runway merit based on one or more runway characteristics.For example, the processor 202 can assign higher merit valuescorresponding to wider and/or longer runways. The processor 202 can alsocalculate a runway merit based on the weather conditions at eachpotential destination airport. For example, the processor 202 can assignlow merit values to airports with low visibility, high wind speeds, andso forth.

The autoland module 214 can then determine the total merit for eachairport. In implementations, the autoland module 214 can cause theprocessor 202 to apply a predetermined weighting factor (K) to eachrunway merit (M) and calculate a weighted runway merit (K*M). The sum ofall weighting factors (ΣK) represents the maximum possible merit value.The sum of the weighted values (Σ(K*M)) for a runway represents thetotal merit for the runway. The processor 202 can also assign penaltiesto attributes that are out of limits (e.g., the merit is negative). Forexample, the processor can subtract a penalty equal to the maximumpossible merit value (ΣK) from the overall merit of the runway(Σ(K*M)−ΣK). This ensures that the runway is only selected if there areno available runways where all attributes are within limits. Theprocessor 202 can then determine which runway has the highest totalmerit (e.g., highest Σ(K*M)).

In some implementations, the autoland module 214 can incorporate routeweather data in determining the total merit for each destination. Theautoland module 214 can receive weather data (e.g., weather radar, XM,datalink weather, icing data) and/or forecast data (e.g., Winds andTemperatures Aloft Forecast data, turbulence data, windshear data,NEXRAD data, etc.) from one or more of the components internal to thesystem 100 (e.g., AHRS, ADCs, IDUs, other modules, etc.). Datalinkweather may include satellite radio sources, FIS-B (ADS-B), GarminConnext, and/or other datalinks. The module 214 can cause the processor202 to analyze the weather data and/or forecast data for one or moreweather intensity characteristics. Weather intensity characteristics caninclude, but are not necessarily limited to: precipitation level,precipitation type (e.g., rain, snow, sleet, etc.), atmosphericconditions (e.g., wind speed, wind direction, temperature, etc.), stormattributes (e.g., storm top elevation, reflectivity, verticallyintegrated water, probability of hail, probability of severe hail,maximum hail stone diameter size, speed and/or direction of stormmovement, tornadic activity, etc.), weather conditions (e.g., weatherseverity, visibility, etc.), and so forth. The autoland module 214 cancause the processor 202 to compare the weather intensity characteristicsto a predefined condition (e.g., a predefined severity and/or intensitythreshold. For example, the autoland module 214 can cause the processor202 to compare weather severity to predefined weather severity levels(e.g., low, medium, high, etc.), and identify weather severity areas. Ifthe weather severity of a weather area exceeds one or more of thepredefined severity levels, the autoland module 214 can cause theprocessor 202 to adjust the runway merit accordingly. For example, theprocessor 202 can create a buffer area around weather areas ofpredefined severity levels, and downgrade runways that require passingthrough those areas. The processor 202 can downgrade (e.g., assess apenalty) to runways that require a route passing through a preselectedradius (e.g., approximately five miles to approximately 15 miles) of ahigh severity weather area (e.g., areas depicted on a NEXRAD map as redareas). The processor 202 can also eliminate (e.g., assign negative M)to runways that require a route passing through a preselected radius(e.g., approximately two miles to approximately four miles) of a highseverity weather area (e.g., NEXRAD red areas). In some implementations,the processor 202 can increase the minimum distance (e.g., increase thepreselected radius) from a high severity weather area (e.g., NEXRAD redareas) based on the size of the area. The processor 202 can also beconfigured to identify gradient changes in weather intensitycharacteristics. For example, the processor 202 can identify areas thatchange from a low severity area to a medium severity area within aspecified distance (e.g., approximately one mile) and treat those areasas high severity areas. If a route cannot be determined through theweather and/or no routes can be determined due to weather (e.g., allroutes contain weather that prohibits routing), the processor 202 canexpand the tolerance for the predefined condition (e.g., expand thetolerance for weather severity) until a route can be determined.

In some embodiments, the autoland module 214 can select a destinationbased on the total merit. For example, the autoland module 214 can causethe processor 202 to select the airport with the highest runway totalmerit as the destination airport. The processor 202 can determine anapproach fix based on the runway with the highest total merit. Theapproach fix can include, but is not necessarily limited to: a finalapproach fix (FAF), an initial approach fix from a published approach(IAF), a point on a published approach, an arbitrary fix point that thesystem 100 selects to enable the aircraft to land on the selected runway(e.g., a visual approach fix, etc.), and so forth. If the processor 202is unable to identify an optimal runway (e.g., a runway with positivetotal merit), the processor 202 can select the runway with the highestnegative merit. In another implementation, the user can manually selecta destination airport and/or runway from the potential airports via thetouch screen 210. In some embodiments, when no destinations are withinrange of the aircraft (e.g., based on determined aircraft endurance),the module 214 will assign the highest merit to the potentialdestination with the shortest ETE, ignoring all other merits.

The autoland module 214 can create a route from the current position ofthe aircraft to the destination. For example, the autoland module 214can cause the processor 202 to create a route from the current positionof the aircraft to the approach fix. In some embodiments, the processor202 can determine a lateral position for the approach fix that reflectsthe position of an existing published approach fix. The processor 202can execute one or more aircraft route calculation processes todetermine a route between the current aircraft position and the approachfix. In some implementations, the processor 202 can determine a directroute between the current position and the destination airport. Forexample, the processor 202 can create a direct route at the presentaltitude between the current position and the FAF. The processor 202 canthen create a hold at the approach fix. For example, the processor 202can create a standard (e.g., right turn) or non-standard (e.g., leftturn) holding pattern at the FAF (e.g. based on which holding pattern isfree of terrain and/or obstacle intrusion), at the FAF altitude, withminimum leg length, where the inbound course of the hold equals theoutbound course from the FAF. In embodiments, the hold pattern can bebased on one or more of the speed of the aircraft, the altitude of theaircraft, and/or the course of the aircraft. For example, a hold patterncan be traversed if one or more of the following conditions are met: 1)a speed of the aircraft is within a defined tolerance relative to theapproach speed, 2) the course of the aircraft is within a definedtolerance relative to the FAF (e.g., within a defined tolerance of theFAF to an FAF+1), and the altitude of the aircraft is within a definedtolerance relative to the altitude of the FAF. The processor 202 canalso create a waypoint associated with the runway (e.g., at the start ofthe runway) to allow for navigation of the runway (e.g., alignment). Inone or more implementations, the aircraft route calculation process canbe performed to determine and/or analyze a route in view of predefinedcharacteristics (e.g., distance, terrain characteristics, obstaclecharacteristics, weather characteristics, etc.). In some embodiments,the route can be created based on the approach fix and an FAF. Forexample, the route can comprise a FAF−1, where the FAF−1 is a distanceback from the FAF in the direction of a missed approach point (MAP) toFAF course such that the path is under the glide path.

In one or more implementations, the aircraft route calculation processcan include creating the route to account for one or more terraincharacteristics and/or obstacle characteristics. For example, theprocessor 202 can operate on the aircraft route calculation process toanalyze cartographic data for terrain characteristics and/or obstaclecharacteristics. Terrain characteristics can include, but are notnecessarily limited to: elevation, altitude, horizontal dimension of theland surface, surface characteristics (e.g., bodies of water, permanentice and/or snow, etc.), and so forth. Obstacle characteristics caninclude, but are not necessarily limited to: buildings, power lines,other aircraft, and so forth. The autoland module 214 can cause theprocessor 202 to identify one or more terrain characteristics and/orobstacle characteristics, and calculate the course to avoid the terraincharacteristics and/or obstacle characteristics. For example, theprocessor 202 can compare the terrain characteristics and/or obstaclecharacteristics with a predefined condition (e.g., predefined altitudeor elevation threshold). The processor 202 can then create a waypointassociated with the terrain characteristic and/or obstaclecharacteristic. In embodiments, the processor 202 can identify theelevation and/or altitude of a land region, and create a waypoint at apreselected altitude (e.g., 1000 ft.), above the highest terrain and/orobstacle. In embodiments, the processor 202 can operate on the aircraftroute calculation process to analyze cartographic data dynamically. Forexample, altitude constraints are always descending to the approach fixaltitude by propagating the approach fix altitude back until it is lessthan the terrain or obstacle elevation with buffer. If it is less, itthen the processor 202 propagates the next elevation back until itreaches one higher, and so forth, until the approach fix is reached.

In one or more implementations, the aircraft route calculation processcan include re-creating the route to account for one or more weatherintensity characteristics. For example, the processor 202 can operate onthe aircraft route calculation process to analyze weather data (e.g.,weather radar, XM, datalink weather, icing data) and/or forecast data(e.g., Winds and Temperatures Aloft Forecast data, turbulence data,windshear data, NEXRAD data, etc.) for weather intensitycharacteristics. Weather intensity characteristics can include, but arenot necessarily limited to: precipitation level, precipitation type(e.g., rain, snow, sleet, etc.), atmospheric conditions (e.g., windspeed, wind direction, temperature, etc.), storm attributes (e.g., stormtop elevation, reflectivity, vertically integrated water, probability ofhail, probability of severe hail, maximum hail stone diameter size,speed and/or direction of storm movement, tornadic activity, etc.),weather conditions (e.g., weather severity, visibility, etc.), and soforth. The autoland module 214 can cause the processor 202 to comparethe weather intensity characteristics to a predefined condition (e.g., apredefined severity and/or intensity threshold) and recalculate theroute to avoid weather intensity characteristics that exceed thepredefined condition. For example, the processor 202 can create awaypoint associated with the weather intensity characteristics thatexceed the predefined condition. In exemplary implementations, theprocessor 202 can identify the severity of weather areas (e.g., low,medium, high, etc.) by comparing the storm severity to predefinedweather severity thresholds, as described above. In someimplementations, the processor 202 can utilize forecast data (e.g.,Winds and Temperatures Aloft Forecast data at a predefined altitude(e.g., 18,000 feet), NEXRAD data, etc.) to predict severity of weatherareas based on one or more weather intensity characteristics (e.g.,atmospheric conditions, storm attributes, etc.). The processor 202 canthen create one or more waypoints to avoid the moderate and/or severeweather areas and/or predicted moderate and/or severe weather areas. Asthe aircraft passes a waypoint, the processor 202 can operate on theaircraft route calculation process to dynamically analyze weather dataand/or forecasting data of the re-created course and create waypointsuntil no weather intensity characteristics exceeding the predefinedcondition remain on the route to the FAF. If a route cannot bedetermined through the weather and/or no routes can be determined due toweather (e.g., all routes contain weather that prohibits routing), theprocessor 202 can expand the tolerance for the predefined condition(e.g., expand the tolerance for weather severity) until the route can bere-created.

In implementations, the autoland module 214 can request and/or receivethe weather data and/or forecast data from one or more of the componentsinternal to the system 100 (e.g., AHRS, ADCs, IDUs, other modules,etc.). In some implementations, the autoland module 214 can cause theprocessor to compile weather data and/or forecast data received frommultiple data sources into one weather tracking grid. For example, theprocessor 202 can overlay weather tracking grid cells with forecast databy taking the original weather tracking grid cell and copying to eachcell in the direction given by the forecast data for a number of cellsgiven by the distance each cell encompasses and the velocity of theforecast data for that area. As the system 100 dynamically monitors theweather data, the weather tracking grid is correspondingly updated.

Once a route or re-created route has been calculated, the autolandmodule 214 can cause the aircraft to traverse the route. For example,the autoland module 214 can cause the processor 202 to replace theflight plan's previous route with the newly calculated route to theapproach fix and/or re-created route to the approach fix. The publishedMAP to the runway endpoint can also be loaded to the flight plan. Inembodiments, adjustments can be made to determine if the runway isviable for routing. In one or more implementations, the autoland module214 can cause the flight director, autopilot system, and/or navigationsystem to actuate one or more modes of operation. For example, theautoland module 214 can cause the autopilot system to actuate thevertical navigation mode (VNAV) and/or the lateral navigation mode(LNAV) to traverse the route from the current position of the aircraftto the waypoint(s) and/or the approach fix. The autoland module 214 canalso cause the autopilot system to actuate a flight level change (FLC)mode and/or an altitude hold mode (ALT) to achieve and/or maintaindesired airspeed and/or altitude while traversing the route. Forexample, the autoland module 214 can cause the autopilot system to setthe altitude preselector to the altitude constraints determined by theaircraft route calculation process. For example, if the altitudepreselector is above the current altitude, the autopilot system canactuate FLC mode while the aircraft climbs above the FAF altitude. Inanother implementation, if the altitude preselector is below the currentaltitude, the autopilot system can actuate an ALT mode, holding theaircraft at its present altitude. The autoland module 214 can also causethe flight director and/or navigation systems to traverse the route tothe FAF.

In one or more implementations, the autoland module 214 canautomatically adjust the barometric pressure to maintain an accuratebarometric pressure while the emergency autoland process is engaged. Theautoland module 214 can cause the processor 202 to execute one or morebarometric pressure processes to adjust the barometric pressure based onaltitude. In exemplary implementations, the processor 202 can determinethe altitude of the aircraft utilizing the pressure altitudeautomatically. If the altitude is above the transition altitude (e.g.,18,000 feet), the processor 202 can set the barometric correction to thestandard pressure setting (e.g., 29.92 in hg). If the altitude is belowthe transition altitude, the processor 202 can set the barometricpressure to the navigation system altitude (e.g., GPS altitude). Theprocessor 202 can also adjust the barometric pressure in preparation forapproach at the approach fix, regardless of altitude. For example, theprocessor 202 can adjust the barometric pressure when the aircraft iswithin a predefined distance from the approach fix (e.g., 10 nauticalmiles) based factors such as temperature, runway elevation, GPSaltitude, and so forth.

In one or more implementations, the autoland module 214 can cause theCDU 106 to actuate one or more modes of operation to maintain the flightenvelope of the aircraft. For example, the autoland module 214 can causethe CDU 106 to actuate an automatic level mode. The level mode can modecan coordinate lateral (e.g., pitch), vertical (e.g., yaw), and/orthrust instructions to make an automatic climb or descent to apredefined altitude at a predefined airspeed. If the resulting powersetting is too high or too low to keep the aircraft within the normalflight envelope, the CDU 106 can cause the throttle ESP to automaticallyadjust power as required to maintain the normal flight envelope.

Once the approach fix is reached, the autoland module 214 can executeone or more processes for landing the aircraft. For example, theautoland module 214 can cause the processor 202 to execute a suitablelanding process for guiding the landing of the aircraft. The autolandmodule 214 can also cause the processor 202 to execute a suitable flareprocess to position the nose of the aircraft for touchdown. The autolandmodule 214 can cause the processor 202 to execute a suitable elevatorprocess to actuate one or more flight control surfaces for landing.

If one or more of the systems (e.g., autopilot system, flight director,autothrottle, ESP, FD, EDM, etc.) become disengaged, the autoland module214 can cause the CDU 106 to attempt to re-engage the system. Forexample, if the autopilot system, autothrottle, and/or flight directorbecome disengaged via abnormal disengagement, the CDU 106 to attempt tore-engage the system(s) approximately every one (1) second whileemergency autoland processes are engaged. Upon re-engagement, theautoland module 214 can re-initiate the autopilot system, autothrottle,and/or flight director to traverse to the selected approach fix.

As shown in FIG. 2, the autoland module 214 engage one or morecomponents and/or systems of the aircraft that are internal and/orexternal to the system 100 for autolanding the aircraft. For example,the autoland module 214 can cause the processor 202 to actuate one ormore systems and/or modes of operation of the engine 216. For example,the processor 202 can actuate the autothrottle system to control powerof the engine 216. The autothrottle system can maintain predeterminedspeed and/or thrust during different phases of flight (e.g., cruise,descent, hold, near destination, approach, landing flare, inside theapproach fix, etc.). For example, the autothrottle system can controlthe power of the engine 216 to maintain a predetermined minimum speedinside the approach fix. Upon landing, the processor 202 can also causethe engine 216 to transition from an operational state to anon-operational state. For example, the processor 202 can actuate one ormore fuel shutoff valves, digital controls, and/or ignition switches tostop the engine 216. In some implementations, the autoland module 214can be configured to transition the engine 216 to a non-operationalstate only after the aircraft has been on the ground for a predeterminedperiod of time. For example, the autoland module 214 can actuate aplurality of switches at different points after landing. The autolandmodule 214 can actuate a first switch after the aircraft has been on theground for a predetermined time interval. The module can 214 actuate asecond switch when the aircraft is decelerating and/or when the wheelspeed and/or airspeed is above a predefined threshold speed. Theautoland module 214 can actuate a third switch when the pressure in oneor more of the brake lines exceeds a predetermined pressure thresholdfor a predetermined period of time. The use of a plurality of switches,shutoff valves, and/or digital controls can prevent inadvertent engineshutdowns, and can ensure that fuel is removed from the engine shortlyafter the aircraft is on the ground. In other implementations, theautoland module 214 may shut down the engines 216 only after theaircraft has come to a stop (e.g., aircraft with braking maintained byengine-driven pump(s)).

In one or more implementations, the autoland module 214 can also causethe processor 202 to actuate the braking system 218 of the aircraft todecelerate and/or stop the aircraft. For example, the processor 202 canactuate the braking system 218 for decelerating the aircraft duringlanding and/or stopping the aircraft on the runway. In embodiments, thebraking system can comprise a mechanical braking system and/or anon-mechanical braking system (e.g., reverse thrust, reverse prop,retracting gear, etc.).

In one or more implementations, the autoland module 214 can also causethe processor 202 to actuate one or more aerodynamic controls 220 (e.g.,yokes, cyclics, side-sticks, etc.) of the aircraft. For example, theprocessor 202 can actuate the aerodynamic controls 220 to controldirectional movements of the aircraft while traversing the route and/orduring landing.

Generally, any of the functions described herein can be implementedusing software, firmware, hardware (e.g., fixed logic circuitry), or acombination of these implementations. The terms “module” and“functionality” as used herein generally represent software, firmware,hardware, or a combination thereof. The communication between modules inthe integrated avionics system 100 of FIGS. 1A and 1B and the CDU ofFIG. 2 can be wired, wireless, or some combination thereof. In the caseof a software implementation, for instance, the module representsexecutable instructions that perform specified tasks when executed on aprocessor, such as the processor 202 of the CDU shown in FIG. 2. Theprogram code can be stored in one or more device-readable storage media,an example of which is the memory 204 associated with the CDU 106 ofFIG. 2.

It is contemplated that in some implementations, the autoland module 214can provide functionality to engage processes other than an emergencyautoland process. One or more of the endurance processes, the airportselection processes, the merit processes, and/or the aircraft routecalculation processes can be utilized for navigating and/or landing theaircraft in a non-emergency autoland situation. In some embodiments, thesystem can operate on one or more of the processes to locate a suitableplace to hold at the bottom of an emergency descent that is below thesafe altitude for flight without oxygen and is clear of terrain. Anapproach to an airport can be commenced from that hold location. In someembodiments, the system can operate on one or more of the processes toselect a suitable airport and/or runway, and/or develop a glide path tothat airport and/or runway within gliding distance in the event of anengine failure. In some embodiments, the system can operate on one ormore of the processes (e.g., the selection process) to navigate aselected location (e.g., locate fuel stops, lunch break locations,maintenance facilities, etc.) based on pilot selectable weightingparameters. Pilot selectable weighting parameters can include, but arenot necessarily limited to: fuel price, on airport restaurant,availability of a crew car, etc. The route calculation processes canthen be utilized to create a route to the selected location that avoidspotential threats (e.g., terrain, obstacles, weather, traffic, etc.).The system 100 can also operate on one or more of the processes tocreate a route to a predetermined location that avoids potential threats(e.g., terrain, obstacles, weather, traffic, etc.). The routecalculation processes can also be used to determine an optimized routebased on predetermined factors such as time, fuel, aircraft endurance,and so forth. For example, the processor 202 can utilize weather data togenerate a route with the most favorable winds or other weatherconditions.

In some embodiments, the system 100 can operate on the route calculationprocesses to ensure clearance of the aircraft and/or create a route forthe aircraft. For example, the route calculation processes can beutilized to ensure terrain clearance when instrument approaches arecreated. The route calculation processes can also be utilized todetermine a route through mountainous terrain based on a predeterminedaltitude cap. In some embodiments, the route calculation processes canbe utilized to create curved approaches and/or close in approaches toavoid preselected areas (e.g., noise sensitive areas, high securityareas, wildlife areas, etc.). In embodiments, the system 100 can operateon the route calculation processes to re-create a route for theaircraft. For example, the processor 202 can automatically re-create apredetermined route of the aircraft (e.g., computed flight plan, trackvector, etc.) to avoid potential threats (e.g., terrain, obstacles,weather, traffic, etc.). The route calculation processes can also beused to create suggested route modifications. For example, the processor202 can suggest a recreated route to avoid potential threats (e.g.,terrain, obstacles, weather, traffic, etc.). The system 100 can notifythe user of the suggested re-created route, which can be accepted ordismissed by the user.

In some embodiments, the system 100 can operate on one or more of theprocesses to remotely activate and/or navigate an aircraft. The module214 can be activated from a remote location (e.g., support center) forautopiloting and/or autolanding the aircraft. For example, the module214 can be remotely activated to return unmanned aircraft to a baselocation. Remote activation can also be utilized to control erraticand/or unresponsive aircraft that are unable to engage the module 214automatically.

In some embodiments, the system 100 can operate on one or more of theprocesses to suggest autopilot modes based on a current flight planand/or flight characteristics (e.g., altitude of the aircraft, cabinaltitude, cabin pressure, airspeed of the aircraft, flight plan, Windsand Temperature Aloft Forecast, time of night, length of flight, terrainheight, a navigational input of the aircraft, etc.). The module 214 cancause the processor 202 to activate the most suitable autopilot modebased on the flight plan and/or flight characteristics. For example, themodule 214 can activate FLC mode to climb or rejoin a descent path thatis below the current altitude.

In some instances, the autoland module 214 is configured to cause thegeneration of one or more displays at a display screen, such as thedisplay 120 of the CDU 106. FIGS. 3A through 10B illustrate exampledisplay screens 302, 402, 502 of the display 120 of the CDU 106, the PFD102, and/or the MFD 104. As described above, the outland autoland module214 is configured to cause the display information related to routingthe aircraft to the FAF, which is described in greater detail herein.

As shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, the display screen 302 may display one ormore textual notification banners configured to provide notifications tothe user. For example, a first notification banner 304 may be configuredto convey whether or not the autoland module 214 is active. A secondnotification banner 306 may be configured to convey whether or not auser action is required. The display screen 302 may also display one ormore softkeys. For example, the display screen 302 may display a softkey308 for activating a microphone for radio transmission. The displayscreen 302 may also display text and/or graphic user instructions foroperating the microphone (e.g., volume control, push and hold to talk,etc.), as illustrated in FIG. 3B.

As shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, the display screen 402 may displaynavigation information, which may be retrieved via the integratedavionics systems components, that represent information describingoperation of the aircraft (e.g., navigation routes, moving maps, enginegauges, weather radar, ground proximity warning system (GPWS) warnings,traffic collision avoidance system (TCAS) warnings, airport information,and so forth). In implementations, the navigation information can bedisplayed as one or more maps. In one or more implementations, thenavigation information can include a first map 404 (e.g., map graphic)that is configured to convey the route (e.g., flight plan) of theaircraft to the FAF. For example, the first map 404 may display atopographical representation of the route the aircraft may traverse toreach the FAF. The first map 404 may be configured to continually updateat predetermined time intervals such that the graphical representationreflects the aircraft's location relative to the FAF. In someimplementations. The first map 404 can be configured to convey landmarks(e.g., state lines, roads/highways, cities, etc.) located on the route.The first map 404 can also display the route of the aircraft relative toweather radar data WRD1.

The navigation information can also include a second map 406 (e.g., mapgraphic) that is configured to convey a map region pertinent tonavigation of the aircraft. For example, the second map 406 may displaygraphical representations of an area that the aircraft is traversing.The second map 406 may be configured to continually update atpredetermined time intervals such that the graphical representationsreflect the area being traversed with respect to movement of theaircraft (i.e., a moving map).

In some embodiments, the maps 404, 406 can be displayed on differentdisplay panes 408, 410, as illustrated in FIG. 4A. In other embodimentsone or more of the maps 404, 406, can be displayed on a display insertpanel, as illustrated in FIG. 4B.

In one or more implementations, the display screen 402 may display oneor more graphic and/or text indicator configured to convey informationdescribing the route and/or operation of the aircraft. Indicators caninclude, but are not necessarily limited to: airspeed tape 412,altimeter 414, horizontal situation indicator 416, and so forth. Thedisplay screen 402 can also display textual notification bannersconfigured to provide notifications to the user. For example, a firstnotification banner 418 may be configured to convey whether or not theautoland module 214 is active. A second notification banner 420 may beconfigured to convey whether or not a user action is required.

As shown in FIGS. 5A through 10B, the display screen 502 may displaygraphics and/or text that represent information describing the operationof the aircraft. For example, the text may include status information504, which may be retrieved via the integrated avionics systemscomponents, that represent information describing operation of theaircraft (e.g., navigation routes, moving maps, engine gauges, weatherradar, ground proximity warning system (GPWS) warnings, trafficcollision avoidance system (TCAS) warnings, airport information, and soforth). In one or more implementations, the status information SI1 caninclude text configured to convey dynamic information about the route ofthe aircraft, the FAF (e.g., name of airport, location of airport,runway number), and/or the status of the aircraft (e.g., speed,altitude, distance to runway, time to landing, etc.), as illustrated inFIGS. 5A and 5B. FIG. 6 illustrates example status information that canbe conveyed at one or more displays in accordance with the presentdisclosure. The display screen 502 can also include text and/or graphicsrepresenting dynamic instructions 506 for the user. For example, thetext and/or graphical instructions 506 can assist the user incommunicating with air traffic control (e.g., as described withreference to FIGS. 5A and 5B), exiting the aircraft upon landing (e.g.,as described with reference to FIG. 7), fuel management instructions(e.g., as described with reference to FIG. 8), and so forth.

The display screen 502 can also display one or more textual notificationbanners configured to provide notifications to the user. For example, afirst notification banner 508 may be configured to convey whether or notthe autoland module 214 is active. A second notification banner 510 maybe configured to convey whether or not a user action is required. Athird notification banner 512 can be configured to convert the nextaction that the aircraft may take. Example next actions (e.g.,instructional information) that can be conveyed by the third textualbanner 512 are illustrated in FIG. 9. The notifications may beaccompanied by haptic (e.g., vibration alerts) notifications, aural(e.g., beeps or spoken text) notifications, or communicated via anotherappropriate means to the user. In implementations, one or more of thenotification banners 508, 510, 512 can be configured to correspond withthe dynamic instructions 506. For example, upon autoland module 214activation, an instruction to the user may indicate that emergencyautoland is active and that air traffic control has been notified of theemergency, while a corresponding second notification banner can beconfigured to convey that no user action is required (as described withreference to FIGS. 5A and 5B).

In one or more implementations, the dynamic instructions 506 canrepresent fuel management instructions (e.g., as described withreference to FIG. 8). Example fuel management instructions 802 caninclude, but are not necessarily limited to: a one-time instruction toset the fuel selector to auto mode, periodic instructions to switch fueltanks, and so forth. The fuel management instructions 802 may beaccompanied by the second notification banner 510 configured to conveythat fuel management is required. The display screen 502 can alsodisplay graphic and/or text configured to convey the status of the fuelmanagement instruction (e.g., pending, satisfactorily completed, etc.)to the user.

As shown in FIGS. 10A and 10B, the display screen 502 may displaygraphical and/or text alerts 1002 configured to convey failure and/ordisengagement of the autoland module 214. FIG. 10A includes an examplescreen shot of display screen 502 indicating emergency failure of theautoland module 214. FIG. 10B includes an example screen shot of displayscreen 502 indicating normal disengagement of the autoland module 214.The alert 1002 may be accompanied by text and/or graphics configured toconvey an instruction to the user (e.g., instructions for re-engagingthe autoland module 214), as illustrated in FIG. 10A.

In exemplary implementations, display screen 302, 402, 502 compriseexemplary display screens of the CDU 106, the PFD 102, and the MFD 104,respectively. However, it is contemplated that any of display screens302, 402, 502, and/or the text and/or graphics generated thereon, may begenerated at any of the CDU 106, the PFD 102, and/or the MFD 104. Thedisplay screens 302, 402, 502 may comprise a single display plane (asdescribed with reference to FIGS. 3A and 3B), a plurality of displaypanes 408, 410 (e.g., as described with reference to FIG. 4A) and/orinclude one or more display insert panels (e.g., as described withreference to FIG. 4B).

In one or more implementations, the system 100 can be configured toissue one or more aural communications to the user and/or the airtraffic controller. In one or more implementations, the autoland module214 can configure an audio system of the aircraft to a predefinedconfiguration. For example, the autoland module 214 can actuate and/ordisable one or more audio system components (e.g., audio sources, radiosources, transponder, speakers, intercom, etc.) to allow automated(e.g., text to speech) communication with the user(s) and/or air trafficcontrol. In implementations, the autoland module 214 can cause the audiosystem to issue one or more automated aural communications to providestatus updates to the user. FIG. 11 illustrates example status updatesin accordance with one or more implementations of the presentdisclosure. The autoland module 214 can also configure the audio systemfor automated and/or user initiated communication with air trafficcontrol. For example, the autoland module 214 can select a radio forcommunication over an emergency frequency. The autoland module 214 canbe configured to cause display (e.g., via one or more of the displayscreens of the CDU 106, the PFD 102, and the MFD 104, as describedabove) of the appropriate air traffic control frequency to the user,allowing the user to manually contact and communicate with air trafficcontrol. In another implementation, if no action is taken by the user,the autoland module 214 can cause the processor 202 to automaticallytune the radio and broadcast on the universal emergency frequency and/orthe local traffic frequency for the FAF. The autoland module 214 mayalso be configured to cause display of instructions to the user fordisabling the automatic broadcasting to allow for manual communication.The autoland module 214 can also disengage one or more audio controls(e.g., bezels, softkeys, audio panel reversion switches, etc.) to enableautomated communication. Upon landing, the autoland module 214 cancontrol the radio to broadcast on one more appropriate frequencies(tower, approach, center, emergency, etc.) that the aircraft has landed,that the aircraft is on the runway, that the runway is closed,combinations thereof, and the like.

In one or more implementations, the autoland module 214 can actuate thetransponder to alert air traffic control that the aircraft isexperiencing an emergency. For example, the autoland module 214 canadjust the transponder code from a standard code (e.g., 1200) to anemergency code (e.g., 7700, a code specific to autoland use, AutomaticDependent Surveillance Broadcast (ADSB) subfields populated withemergency priority status, etc.). The transponder can remain on theemergency code for a predetermined time interval (e.g., 15 seconds).During the predetermined time interval, the user can manually change thecode. If the user does not manually change the code within thepredetermined time interval, the autoland module 214 can cause thetransponder to adjust back to the previously entered code. If thetransponder was previously set to the standard code (e.g., 1200), thenthe autoland module 214 can cause the transponder to adjust to the lostcommunication code (e.g., 7600), following the predetermined timeinterval, unless the user manually selects a code. In implementations,the transmission of the emergency code can be manually disabled by auser prior to engaging the autoland module 214. The user can thenmanually select the transponder codes as desired.

In some embodiments, the autoland module 214 can make a satelliteconnection to allow for communication during an emergency situation. Forexample, the module 214 can make a satellite connection with a supportcenter that can communicate with the aircraft cabin. In some situations,the autoland module 214 can be configured to automatically activate thesatellite connection based upon the engagement of the emergency autolandmodule 214 and/or detection of an emergency event (e.g., cabindepressurization, loss of altitude, etc.).

Example Processes

FIG. 12 depicts an example process 1200 for autolanding an aircraft inan emergency situation utilizing an integrated avionics system, such asthe integrated avionics system 100 described above. As shown in FIG. 12,a plurality of potential destinations for an aircraft are identified(Block 1202). In some embodiments, a plurality of potential destinationairports are identified (Block 1204). However, potential destinationscan also include an airport location, terrain features (e.g., fields,landing fields, other open areas), bodies of water (e.g., lakes,seaports, etc.), and so forth. In some embodiments, airports within arange of travel of the aircraft are identified based upon a determinedendurance of the aircraft. For example, the autoland module 214 cancause the processor 202 to execute an endurance process (e.g., asdescribed with reference to FIG. 13) to determine the aircraft'sendurance based on usable fuel onboard the aircraft (endurance=currentfuel/current total fuel flow). The autoland module 214 can then use oneor more airport selection processes (e.g., as described with referenceto FIG. 14) to identify potential airports within the range of travel ofthe aircraft, as described. For example, the autoland module 214 cancause the processor 202 can identify any airports within a preselecteddistance (e.g., 200 to 500 miles) from the aircraft. If there are nopotential destinations within the range of travel of the aircraft, theprocessor 202 can identify and select potential destinations outside ofthe range of travel such as the closest potential destination (e.g., theclosest airport), the last loaded origin, the last loaded destination,previously available destinations, and so forth. In someimplementations, the autoland module 214 can cause the processor 202 toeliminate any airports that are not appropriate candidates for landingbased on one or more adverse landing characteristics. Adverse landingcharacteristics can include, but are not necessarily limited to:airports that do not have at least one hard surface runway, airportsthat are heliports only, airports that do not have at least oneacceptable approach (e.g., GPS approach to a runway with verticalguidance), and so forth. In some implementations, the system 100 canalso incorporate weather data (e.g., METAR, Terminal Doppler WeatherRadar (TDWR), terminal aerodrome forecast (TAF), etc.) received fromeach airport (or from a nearby airport should weather data not beavailable) in selecting potential airports. For example, the processor202 can treat unfavorable weather conditions as an adverse landingcharacteristic and eliminate those airports from the potential airports.

A merit is calculated for each of the plurality of potentialdestinations (Block 1206). For example, the autoland module 214 cancause the processor 202 to identify a merit value for each airportrunway using one or more merit processes (e.g., as described withreference to FIG. 15). In some implementations, the processor canidentify one or more runway merit values for a runway corresponding witheach airport. For example, the autoland module 214 can cause processor202 to calculate one or more merits for each runway based on a varietyof runway attributes, as described above. Runway attributes can include,but are not necessarily limited to: final approach coarse alignment withthe runway, runway characteristics (e.g., runway length, runway width,approach vertical angle (e.g., flight path angle), gradient, etc.),weather conditions (e.g., weather rating (e.g., IFR, VFR), etc.), gust,precipitation level, precipitation type, etc.), attributes specific tothe airport (e.g., airport with a tower, airports that anchor class Bairspace, exclusively military airports, etc.), travel time to airport(ETE), and so forth. The autoland module 214 can cause the processor 202can calculate a merit value for each attribute. For example, theprocessor 202 can assign each attribute a merit value in the range of−1.0 to 1.0, with 1.0 representing an ideal runway. Negative meritvalues can be considered to be out of limits. In some implementations,the processor 202 can determine a final approach course alignment runwaymerit for a runway corresponding to each potential destination airport.For example, the processor 202 can calculate the degrees of misalignmentof the aircraft with the runway. In some implementations, the processor202 can eliminate runways that exceed a preselected maximum misalignmentthreshold (e.g., 25 degrees to 35 degrees of misalignment). Theprocessor 202 can also determine an airport attribute runway merit foreach potential destination airport. For example, the processor 202 canassign a high merit value to airports with towers, as the presence of atower can indicate that the airport has emergency facilities. Theprocessor 202 can assign low merit values to airports that anchor classB airspace and/or exclusively military airports. The processor 202 canalso determine a travel time runway merit for a runway corresponding toeach potential destination airport. In example implementations, theprocessor 202 can calculate time to runway using groundspeed along aselected path from the wind triangle based on wind speed and/or winddirection.

The autoland module 214 can then determine the total merit for eachrunway. In embodiments, the autoland module 214 can determine a totalmerit for each runway by applying a predetermined weighting factor (K)to each runway merit (M), as described above. The processor 202 can thendetermine which runway has the highest total merit (e.g., highestΣ(K*M)).

In some implementations, the autoland module 214 can incorporate routeweather data in determining the total merit for each destination. Forexample, the autoland module 214 can cause the processor 202 to analyzethe weather data and/or forecast data for one or more weather intensitycharacteristics. Weather intensity characteristics can include, but arenot necessarily limited to: precipitation level, precipitation type(e.g., rain, snow, sleet, etc.), atmospheric conditions (e.g., windspeed, wind direction, temperature, etc.), storm attributes (e.g., stormtop elevation, reflectivity, vertically integrated water, probability ofhail, probability of severe hail, maximum hail stone diameter size,speed and/or direction of storm movement, tornadic activity, etc.),weather conditions (e.g., weather severity, visibility, etc.), and soforth. The autoland module 214 can cause the processor 202 to comparethe weather intensity characteristics to a predefined condition (e.g., apredefined severity and/or intensity threshold). For example, theautoland module 214 can cause the processor 202 to compare stormseverity to predefined weather severity levels (e.g., low, medium, high,etc.), and identify weather severity areas. If the storm severity of aweather area exceeds one or more of the predefined severity levels, theautoland module 214 can cause the processor 202 to adjust the airportmerit accordingly. For example, the processor 202 can create a bufferarea around weather areas of predefined severity levels, and downgraderunways that require passing through those areas. The processor 202 candowngrade (e.g., assess a penalty) to runways that require a routepassing through a preselected radius (e.g., approximately five miles toapproximately 15 miles) of a high severity weather area (e.g., areasdepicted on a NEXRAD map as red areas). The processor 202 can alsoeliminate (e.g., assign negative M) to runways that require a routepassing through a preselected radius (e.g., approximately two miles toapproximately four miles) of a high severity weather area (e.g., NEXRADred areas). In some implementations, the processor 202 can increase theminimum distance (e.g., increase the preselected radius) from a highseverity weather area (e.g., NEXRAD red areas) based on the size of thearea. The processor 202 can also be configured to identify gradientchanges in weather intensity characteristics. For example, the processor202 can identify areas that change from a low severity area to a mediumseverity area within a specified distance (e.g., approximately one mile)and treat those areas as high severity areas. If a route cannot bedetermined through the weather and/or no routes can be determined due toweather (e.g., all routes contain weather that prohibits routing), theprocessor 202 can expand the tolerance for the predefined condition(e.g., expand the tolerance for weather severity) until a route can bedetermined.

As shown in FIG. 12, a destination is selected based upon the merit(Block 1206). For example, the autoland module 214 can cause theprocessor 202 to select the airport with the highest runway total meritas the destination. If the processor 202 is unable to identify anoptimal runway (e.g., a runway with positive total merit), the processor202 can select the runway with the highest negative merit. In anotherexample, the user can manually select a destination airport and/orrunway from the potential airports via the touch screen 210. In someembodiments, when no runways are within range of the aircraft (e.g.,based on determined aircraft endurance), the module 214 will assign thehighest merit to the potential destination with the shortest ETE,ignoring all other merits.

Terrain data and/or obstacle data is received (Block 1208). Inembodiments, the terrain data can include at least one terraincharacteristic and the obstacle data can include at least one obstaclecharacteristic. The processor 202 can operate on the aircraft routecalculation process to analyze cartographic data for terraincharacteristics and/or obstacle characteristics. Terrain characteristicscan include, but are not necessarily limited to: elevation, horizontaldimension of the land surface, surface characteristics (e.g., bodies ofwater, permanent ice and/or snow, etc.), and so forth. Obstaclecharacteristics can include buildings, power lines, other aircraft, andso forth.

A route is created from the current position of the aircraft to anapproach fix associated with the destination (Block 1210). The processor202 can execute one or more aircraft route calculation processes (e.g.,as described with reference to FIG. 16) to determine a route between thecurrent aircraft position and the approach fix. The approach fix caninclude, but is not necessarily limited to an FAF, an IAF, a point on apublished approach, an arbitrary fix point that the system 100 selectsto enable the aircraft to land on the selected runway (e.g., a visualapproach fix, etc.), and so forth. For example, the autoland module 214can cause the processor 202 to create a FAF for the destination airport.The processor 202 can then create a route from the current position ofthe aircraft to the FAF. In embodiments, the processor 202 can create aroute from the current position of the aircraft to the FAF that accountsfor the terrain and/or obstacle characteristics. The processor 202 cancreate a route that avoids terrain and/or obstacle characteristics thatexceed a predetermined condition. In some embodiments, the processor 202can compare the terrain characteristics and/or obstacle characteristicswith a predefined elevation and/or altitude threshold. For example, theprocessor 202 can identify elevation and/or altitude of a land region,and create a waypoint at a preselected altitude (e.g., 1000 ft.), abovethe highest terrain. In other embodiments, the processor 202 candetermine a direct route between the current position and thedestination where no terrain characteristics or obstacles are present.For example, the processor 202 can create a direct route at the presentaltitude between the current position and the FAF.

In some implementations, weather data is received (Block 1212). Theweather data can include at least one weather intensity characteristicand the terrain data can include at least one terrain characteristic.For example, the processor 202 can operate on the aircraft routecalculation process to analyze weather data (e.g., weather radar, XM,datalink weather, icing data) and/or forecast data (e.g., Winds andTemperatures Aloft Forecast data, turbulence data, windshear data,NEXRAD data, etc.) for weather intensity characteristics. Weatherintensity characteristics can include, but are not necessarily limitedto: precipitation level, precipitation type (e.g., rain, snow, sleet,etc.), atmospheric conditions (e.g., wind speed, wind direction,temperature, etc.), storm attributes (e.g., storm top elevation,reflectivity, vertically integrated water, probability of hail,probability of severe hail, maximum hail stone diameter size, speedand/or direction of storm movement, tornadic activity, etc.), and soforth.

In some implementations, the weather intensity characteristic iscompared to a predefined condition along the route (Block 1214). Forexample, the autoland module 214 can cause the processor 202 to comparewhether intensity characteristics to a predefined severity and/orintensity threshold. In some implementations, the system determines ifthe route can be re-created to avoid weather characteristics that exceedthe predefined condition (Decision Block 1216). If the route cannot bere-created (NO to Decision Block 1216), the parameters defining thepredefined condition are modified until the route can be re-created(Block 1218). For example, the processor 202 can expand the tolerancefor the predefined condition (e.g., expand the tolerance for weatherseverity) until a route can be determined based upon the expandedtolerance for the predefined condition(s). If the route can bere-created (YES to Decision Block 1216), then the route is re-created toavoid weather intensity characteristics that exceed the predefinedcondition (Block 1220). The autoland module 214 can cause the processor202 to create one or more waypoints associated with the weatherintensity characteristics. For example, the processor 202 can create oneor more waypoints to avoid severe weather areas and/or predicted severeweather areas, as described above. As the aircraft passes a waypoint,the processor 202 can operate on the aircraft route calculation processto dynamically analyze weather data and/or forecasting data of there-created course and create waypoints until no weather intensitycharacteristics exceeding the predefined condition remain on the routeto the approach fix.

In some implementations, the system determines if the destination isstill within the range of travel based upon the determined endurance andthe weather intensity characteristics and/or terrain characteristics(Decision Block 1222). For example, the autoland module 214 can causethe processor 202 to determine if the airport is still within thepreselected distance (e.g., 200 to 500 miles) from the aircraft based onthe re-calculated route. If the destination is no longer within therange of travel (NO from Decision Block 1222), destinations arere-identified within the range of travel (Block 1202). If the airport isstill within the range of travel (YES from Decision Block 1222), to theroute is traversed (Block 1224). For example, the autoland module 214can cause the processor 202 to replace the flight plan's previous routewith the newly calculated route and/or re-created route. In one or moreimplementations, the autoland module 214 can cause the flight director,autopilot system, and/or navigation system to actuate one or more modesof operation to traverse the route, as described above. For example, theautoland module 214 can cause the autopilot system to actuate thevertical navigation mode (VNAV) and/or the lateral navigation mode(LNAV) to traverse the route from the current position of the aircraftto the waypoint(s) and/or the FAF. The autoland module 214 can alsocause the autopilot system to actuate a flight level change (FLC) modeand/or an altitude hold mode (ALT) to achieve and/or maintain desiredairspeed and/or altitude while traversing the route.

The system can cause the aircraft to land at the destination withoutrequiring pilot intervention (Block 1226). For example, the autolandmodule 214 can cause the processor 202 to execute one or more landingprocesses, flare processes, and/or elevation processes to land theaircraft as described above.

In implementations, the autoland module 214 engages one or morecomponents and/or systems of the aircraft that are internal and/orexternal to the system 100 for traversing the route and/or landing theaircraft. For example, the autoland module 214 can cause the CDU 106 toengage one or more of the autopilot system, the flight director,autothrottle, ESP, EDM, braking system, aerodynamic control, engine, andso forth.

FIG. 13 illustrates an example process 1300 for determining an enduranceof an aircraft utilizing an integrated avionics system, such as theintegrated avionics system 100 described above. As shown in FIG. 13, afuel tank of the aircraft is selected (Block 1302). In exampleimplementations, the aircraft has manually selected tanks for fuelusage, and the avionics does not know which tank is selected, theprocessor 202 may utilize the tank with the least fuel for the endurancecalculation. In another example, if the aircraft has manually selectedtanks and the avionics knows which tank is selected, then the CDU 106can utilize the selected tank for the endurance calculation. The currentamount of fuel available in the selected tank is determined (Block1304). As shown in FIG. 13, the aircraft's current total fuel flow isthen determined (Block 1306). An endurance for the aircraft isdetermined based current amount of fuel available and the current totalfuel flow (Block 1308). The endurance of the aircraft may be defined asthe current fuel divided by the current total fuel flow.

FIG. 14 illustrates an example process for identifying one or moreairports within the range of travel of an aircraft 1400 utilizing anintegrated avionics system, such as the integrated avionics system 100described above. The endurance of the aircraft is determined (Block1402). For example, the endurance of the aircraft can be determinedusing an endurance process, such as the endurance process illustrated inFIG. 13. The system can determine whether or not airports are locatedwithin the range of travel based upon the endurance (Decision Block1404). For example, the autoland module 214 can cause the processor 202can identify any airports within a preselected distance from theaircraft. In some implementations, the potential airports can be thosewithin approximately 200 to 500 miles (depending on plane type). Ifthere are no airports within the range of travel of the aircraft (NO toDecision Block 1404), then the closet airport is selected as thedestination airport (Block 1406). If there are airports located withinthe range of travel (YES to Decision Block 1404), a determination ismade of whether the airports within the range of travel have any adverselanding characteristics (Decision Block 1408). For example, theprocessor 202 can eliminate airports that have one or more adverselanding characteristics. Adverse landing characteristics can include,but are not necessarily limited to: airports that do not have at leastone hard surface runway, airports that are heliports only, airports thatdo not have at least one acceptable approach (e.g., GPS approach to arunway with vertical guidance), and so forth. In some implementations,the autoland module 214 can cause the processor to treat unfavorableweather conditions at the airport as an adverse landing characteristic.If the airport has one or more adverse landing characteristics (YES toDecision Block 1408), then the airport is eliminated from the potentialdestination airports (Block 1410). If the airport does not possess oneor more adverse landing characteristics (NO to Decision Block 1408),then it is designated as a potential destination airport (Block 1412).

FIG. 15 illustrates an example process 1500 for selecting a destinationairport utilizing an integrated avionics system, such as the integratedavionics system 100 described above. As shown in FIG. 15, potentialdestination airports are identified (Block 1502). For example, thepotential destination airports can be identified using an airportselection process, such as the airport selection process illustrated inFIG. 14. One or more runway merits are calculated for each runway of thepotential destination airports (Block 1504). For example, the autolandmodule 214 can cause processor 202 to calculate one or more merits foreach runway based on a variety of runway attributes, as described above.Runway attributes can include, but are not necessarily limited to: finalapproach coarse alignment with the runway, runway characteristics (e.g.,runway length, runway width, approach vertical angle (e.g., flight pathangle), gradient, etc.), weather conditions (e.g., weather rating (e.g.,IFR, VFR), etc.), gust, precipitation level, precipitation type, etc.),attributes specific to the airport (e.g., airport with a tower, airportsthat anchor class B airspace, exclusively military airports, etc.),travel time to airport (ETE), and so forth. The autoland module 214 cancause the processor 202 can calculate a merit value for each attribute.For example, the processor 202 can assign each attribute a merit valuein the range of −1.0 to 1.0, with 1.0 representing an ideal runway.Negative merit values can be considered to be out of limits. In someimplementations, a final approach course alignment runway merit iscalculated for a runway corresponding to each potential destinationairport (Block 1506). For example, the processor 202 can calculate thedegrees of misalignment of the aircraft with the runway. In someimplementations, the processor 202 can eliminate runways that exceed apreselected maximum misalignment threshold (e.g., 25 degrees to 35degrees of misalignment). In some implementations, an airport attributerunway merit is calculated for each destination airport (Block 1508).For example, the processor 202 can assign a high merit value to airportswith towers, as the presence of a tower can indicate that the airporthas emergency facilities. The processor 202 can assign low merit valuesto airports that anchor class B airspace and/or exclusively militaryairports. In some implementations, a travel time runway merit iscalculated for a runway corresponding to each potential destinationairport (Block 1510). For example, the processor 202 can calculate timeto runway using groundspeed along a selected path from the wind trianglebased on wind speed and/or wind direction. In some implementations, arunway characteristics merit is calculated for a runway corresponding toeach potential destination airport (Block 1512). In someimplementations, a weather conditions merit is calculated for eachpotential destination airport (Block 1514). For example, the processor202 can assign low merit values to airports with low visibility, highwind speeds, and so forth.

The autoland module 214 can then determine the total merit for eachrunway (Block 1516). In embodiments, the autoland module 214 candetermine a total merit for each runway by applying a predeterminedweighting factor (K) to each runway merit (M), as described above. Theprocessor 202 can then determine which runway has the highest totalmerit (e.g., highest Σ(K*M)).

In some implementations, the autoland module 214 can incorporate routeweather data in determining the total merit for each airport. Forexample, the module 214 can cause the processor 202 to analyze theweather data and/or forecast data for one or more weather intensitycharacteristics. Weather intensity characteristics can include, but arenot necessarily limited to: precipitation level, precipitation type(e.g., rain, snow, sleet, etc.), atmospheric conditions (e.g., windspeed, wind direction, temperature, etc.), storm attributes (e.g., stormtop elevation, reflectivity, vertically integrated water, probability ofhail, probability of severe hail, maximum hail stone diameter size,speed and/or direction of storm movement, tornadic activity, etc.), andso forth. The autoland module 214 can cause the processor 202 to comparethe weather intensity characteristics to a predefined condition (e.g., apredefined severity and/or intensity threshold. For example, theautoland module 214 can cause the processor 202 to compare weatherintensity characteristics to predefined weather severity levels (e.g.,low, medium, high, etc.), and identify weather severity areas. If theweather intensity characteristics of a weather area exceed one or moreof the predefined severity levels, the autoland module 214 can cause theprocessor 202 to adjust the airport merit accordingly. For example, theprocessor 202 can create a buffer area around weather areas ofpredefined severity levels, and downgrade runways that require passingthrough those areas. The processor 202 can downgrade (e.g., assess apenalty) to runways that require a route passing through a preselectedradius (e.g., approximately five miles to approximately 15 miles) of ahigh severity weather area (e.g., areas depicted on a NEXRAD map as redareas). The processor 202 can also eliminate (e.g., assign negative M)to runways that require a route passing through a preselected radius(e.g., approximately two miles to approximately four miles) of a highseverity weather area (e.g., NEXRAD red areas). In some implementations,the processor 202 can increase the minimum distance (e.g., increase thepreselected radius) from a high severity weather area (e.g., NEXRAD redareas) based on the size of the area. The processor 202 can also beconfigured to identify gradient changes in weather intensitycharacteristics. For example, the processor 202 can identify areas thatchange from a low severity area to a medium severity area within aspecified distance (e.g., approximately one mile) and treat those areasas high severity areas. If a route cannot be determined through theweather and/or no routes can be determined due to weather (e.g., allroutes contain weather that prohibits routing), the processor 202 canexpand the tolerance for the predefined condition (e.g., expand thetolerance for weather severity) until a route can be determined.

A destination airport is selected based upon the total merit (Block 18).For example, the autoland module 214 can cause the processor 202 toselect the airport with the highest runway total merit as thedestination airport. If the processor 202 is unable to identify anoptimal runway (e.g., a runway with positive total merit), the processor202 can select the runway with the highest negative merit. In anotherimplementation, the user can manually select a destination airportand/or runway from the potential airports via the touch screen 210.

FIG. 16 illustrates an example process 1600 for creating a route from acurrent position of an aircraft to a destination airport utilizing anintegrated avionics system, such as the integrated avionics system 100described above. As shown in FIG. 16, a FAF is created for thedestination (Block 1602). For example, the processor 202 can determine alateral position for the FAF that reflects the position of an existingpublished FAF. A route is created from the current position of theaircraft to the FAF (Block 1604). In some embodiments, the processor 202can create a direct route at the present altitude between the currentposition and the FAF. In other embodiments, the processor 202 can createa route from the current position of the aircraft to the FAF thataccounts for the terrain and/or obstacle characteristics. The processor202 can create a route that avoids terrain and/or obstaclecharacteristics that exceed a predetermined condition. In someembodiments, the processor 202 can compare the terrain characteristicsand/or obstacle characteristics with a predefined elevation and/oraltitude threshold. For example, the processor 202 can identifyelevation and/or altitude of a land region, and create a waypoint at apreselected altitude (e.g., 1000 ft.), above the highest terrain. Insome embodiments, the route can comprise a FAF−1, where FAF−1 is adistance back from the FAF in the direction of the MAP to FAF coursesuch that the path is under the glide path.

In some embodiments, the processor 202 can then create a hold at theFAF. For example, the processor 202 can create a standard (e.g., rightturn) or non-standard (e.g., left turn) holding pattern at the FAF, atthe FAF altitude, with minimum leg length, where the inbound course ofthe hold equals the outbound course from the FAF. In embodiments, thehold pattern can be based on one or more of the speed of the aircraft,the altitude of the aircraft, and/or the course of the aircraft. Forexample, a hold pattern can be traversed if one or more of the followingconditions are met: 1) a speed of the aircraft is within a definedtolerance relative to the approach speed, 2) the course of the aircraftis within a defined tolerance relative to the FAF (e.g., within adefined tolerance of the FAF to the FAF+1), and the altitude of theaircraft is within a defined tolerance relative to the altitude of theFAF.

The processor 202 can also create a waypoint associated with the runway(e.g., at the start of the runway) to allow for navigation of the runway(e.g., alignment). In one or more implementations, the aircraft routecalculation process 1600 can be performed to determine and/or analyze aroute in view of predefined characteristics (e.g., distance, terraincharacteristics, weather characteristics, etc.).

The route to the FAF is loaded to the flight plan (Block 1606). Thepublished MAP to the runway endpoint is then loaded to the flight plan(Block 1608). In embodiments, adjustments can be made to determine ifthe runway is viable for routing. It is understood that other suitableadjustment procedures can be utilized in accordance with the presentdisclosure as well.

In some implementations, weather data is received (Block 1610). Theweather data can include at least one weather intensity characteristicand the terrain data can include at least one terrain characteristic.For example, the processor 202 can operate on the aircraft routecalculation process to analyze weather data (e.g., weather radar, XM,datalink weather, icing data) and/or forecast data (e.g., Winds andTemperatures Aloft Forecast data, turbulence data, windshear data,NEXRAD data, etc.) for weather intensity characteristics. Weatherintensity characteristics can include, but are not necessarily limitedto: precipitation level, precipitation type (e.g., rain, snow, sleet,etc.), atmospheric conditions (e.g., wind speed, wind direction,temperature, etc.), storm attributes (e.g., storm top elevation,reflectivity, vertically integrated water, probability of hail,probability of severe hail, maximum hail stone diameter size, speedand/or direction of storm movement, tornadic activity, etc.), and soforth.

In some implementations, the weather intensity characteristic iscompared to a predefined condition along the route (Block 1612). Forexample, the autoland module 214 can cause the processor 202 to comparewhether intensity characteristics to a predefined severity and/orintensity threshold. In some implementations, the system determines ifthe route can be re-created to avoid weather characteristics that exceedthe predefined condition (Decision Block 1614). If the route cannot bere-created (NO to Decision Block 1614), then the parameters defining thepredefined condition are modified until the route can be re-created(Block 1616). For example, the processor 202 can modify the tolerancefor the predefined condition (e.g., expand the tolerance for weatherseverity) until a route can be determined. If the route can bere-created (YES to Decision Block 1614), then the route is re-created toavoid weather intensity characteristics that exceed the predefinedcondition (Block 1618). The autoland module 214 can cause the processor202 to create one or more waypoints associated with the weatherintensity characteristics. For example, the processor 202 can create oneor more waypoints to avoid severe weather areas and/or predicted severeweather areas, as described above. As the aircraft passes a waypoint,the processor 202 can operate on the aircraft route calculation processto dynamically analyze weather data and/or forecasting data of there-created course and create waypoints until no weather intensitycharacteristics exceeding the predefined condition remain on the routeto the FAF. Once the route is re-created, the system 100 can return toBlock 1606 to load the re-created route in order to traverse there-created route.

CONCLUSION

Although the integrated avionics system 100 has been described withreference to example implementations illustrated in the attached drawingfigures, it is noted that equivalents may be employed and substitutionsmade herein without departing from the scope of the invention as recitedin the claims. Further, the integrated avionics system 100, includingrespective components, as illustrated and described herein is merely anexample of a system and components that may be used to implement thepresent disclosure and may be replaced with other devices and componentswithout departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

What is claimed is:
 1. An aircraft Autoland device comprising: a memoryoperable to store one or more modules, terrain data including at leastone terrain characteristic, and obstacle data including at least oneobstacle characteristic; and a processor coupled to the memory, theprocessor operable to execute the one or more modules to cause theprocessor to: identify a plurality of potential destinations for anaircraft, each of the plurality of destinations having at least oneattribute; calculate a merit for each of the plurality of potentialdestinations based on the at least one attribute; select a destinationbased upon the merit; receive at least one of terrain data or obstacledata; create a route from a current position of the aircraft to anapproach fix associated with the selected destination, the routeaccounting for the at least one of the at least one terraincharacteristic or the at least one obstacle characteristic; cause theaircraft to traverse the route; and cause the aircraft to land at thedestination without requiring pilot intervention.
 2. The aircraftautoland device as recited in claim 1, wherein the processor is furtheroperable to execute the one or more modules to cause the processor to:receive weather data, the weather data including at least one weatherintensity characteristic; compare the at least one weather intensitycharacteristic to a predefined condition along the route; re-create theroute when the at least one weather intensity characteristic exceeds thepredefined condition; and cause the aircraft to traverse the re-createdroute.
 3. The aircraft autoland device as recited in claim 2, whereinthe at least one weather intensity characteristic represents a weathercondition.
 4. The aircraft autoland device as recited in claim 1,wherein the merit comprises a positive or a negative value correspondingto an optimal destination or a non-optimal destination, respectively,and wherein a non-optimal destination is selected when no optimaldestinations are identified.
 5. The aircraft autoland device as recitedin claim 1, wherein the approach fix includes at least one of an initialapproach fix, a final approach fix, a point from a published approach,or a visual approach fix.
 6. The aircraft autoland device as recited inclaim 1, wherein the plurality of potential destinations includeairports, wherein calculate the merit for each airport comprisescalculating one or more runway merits and calculating a total meritbased upon the one or more runway merits; and wherein the processor isfurther operable to select the destination airport based upon thecalculated total merit for each airport.
 7. The aircraft autoland deviceas recited in claim 6, wherein the one or more runway merits comprise atleast one of a final approach course alignment merit for a runwaycorresponding to each airport, a travel time merit corresponding to eachairport, an airport attribute merit corresponding to each airport, arunway characteristics merit for a runway corresponding to each airport,or a weather conditions merit corresponding to each airport.
 8. Theaircraft autoland device as recited in claim 1, wherein the processor isfurther operable to execute the one or more modules to cause theprocessor to: determine the aircraft has landed on the runway; and inresponse to determining that the aircraft has landed on the runway,cause the engine to transition from an operational state to anon-operational state.
 9. The aircraft autoland device as recited inclaim 1, wherein the at least one attribute for each of the plurality ofdestinations includes at least one of a runway length, runway width,runway approach angle, and an airport tower.
 10. The aircraft autolanddevice as recited in claim 1, wherein the memory is further operable tostore cartographic data, and wherein the at least one terraincharacteristic includes elevation data.
 11. The aircraft autoland deviceas recited in claim 1, wherein the memory is further operable to storecartographic data, and wherein the at least one terrain characteristicincludes a geographic location of a body of water.
 12. The aircraftautoland device as recited in claim 1, wherein the processor is furtheroperable to receive surveillance broadcast data from a transponder, andwherein the at least one obstacle characteristic includes surveillancebroadcast data associated with other aircraft.
 13. The aircraft autolanddevice as recited in claim 1, wherein the memory is further operable tostore cartographic data, and wherein the at least one obstaclecharacteristic includes a geographic location of a building.
 14. Anaircraft autoland system comprising: a memory operable to store one ormore modules, terrain data including at least one terraincharacteristic, and obstacle data including at least one obstaclecharacteristic; and a processor coupled to the memory and operablycoupled to at least one of an engine of an aircraft, a braking system ofthe aircraft, or an aerodynamic control of the aircraft, the processoroperable to execute the one or more modules to cause the processor to:identify a plurality of potential destinations for an aircraft, each ofthe plurality of destinations having at least one attribute; calculate amerit for each of the plurality of potential destinations based on theat least one attribute; select a destination based upon the merit;receive at least one of terrain data or obstacle data; create a routefrom a current position of the aircraft to an approach fix associatedwith the selected destination, the route accounting for the at least oneof the at least one terrain characteristic or the at least one obstaclecharacteristic; cause the aircraft to traverse the route by actuating atleast one of the engine or the aerodynamic control in accordance withthe route; and cause the aircraft to land at the destination withoutrequiring pilot intervention.
 15. The aircraft autoland system asrecited in claim 14, wherein the processor is further operable toexecute the one or more modules to cause the processor to: receiveweather data associated with the route of the aircraft, the weather dataincluding at least one weather intensity characteristic; compare the atleast one weather intensity characteristic to a predefined conditionalong the route; re-create the route when the at least one weatherintensity characteristic exceeds the predefined condition; and cause theaircraft to traverse the re-created route.
 16. The process as recited inclaim 14, wherein the merit comprises a positive or a negative valuecorresponding to an optimal destination or a non-optimal destination,respectively, and wherein a non-optimal destination is selected when nooptimal destinations are identified.
 17. The aircraft autoland system asrecited in claim 14, wherein the approach fix includes at least one ofan initial approach fix, a final approach fix, a point from a publishedapproach, or a visual approach fix.
 18. The aircraft autoland system asrecited in claim 14, wherein the processor is operable to execute theone or more modules to cause the processor to: determine the aircrafthas landed; and in response to determining that the aircraft has landed,cause the engine to transition from an operational state to anon-operational state.
 19. The aircraft autoland system as recited inclaim 14, wherein the plurality of potential destinations includeairports, wherein calculate the merit for each airport comprisescalculating one or more runway merits and calculating a total meritbased upon the one or more runway merits, and wherein the processor isfurther operable to select the destination airport based upon thecalculated total merit for each airport.
 20. The aircraft autolanddevice as recited in claim 14, wherein the at least one attribute foreach of the plurality of destinations includes at least one of a runwaylength, runway width, runway approach angle, and an airport tower. 21.The aircraft autoland device as recited in claim 14, wherein the memoryis further operable to store cartographic data, and wherein the at leastone terrain characteristic includes elevation data.
 22. The aircraftautoland device as recited in claim 14, wherein the memory is furtheroperable to store cartographic data, and wherein the at least oneterrain characteristic includes a geographic location of a body ofwater.
 23. The aircraft autoland device as recited in claim 14, whereinthe processor is further operable to receive surveillance broadcast datafrom a transponder, and wherein the at least one obstacle characteristicincludes surveillance broadcast data associated with other aircraft. 24.The aircraft autoland device as recited in claim 14, wherein the memoryis further operable to store cartographic data, and wherein the at leastone obstacle characteristic includes a geographic location of abuilding.
 25. A process for autolanding an aircraft: identifying aplurality of potential destinations for an aircraft, each of theplurality of destinations having at least one attribute; calculating amerit for each of the plurality of potential destinations based on theat least one attribute; selecting a destination based upon the merit;receiving at least one of terrain data or obstacle data, the terraindata including at least one terrain characteristic and the obstacle dataincluding at least one obstacle characteristic; creating a route from acurrent position of the aircraft to an approach fix associated with theselected destination, the route accounting for the at least one of theat least one terrain characteristic or the at least one obstaclecharacteristic; causing the aircraft to traverse the route; and causingthe aircraft to land at the destination without requiring pilotintervention.
 26. The process as recited in claim 25, furthercomprising: receiving weather data, the weather data including at leastone weather intensity characteristic; comparing at least one weatherintensity characteristic to a predefined condition along the route;re-creating the route when the at least one weather intensitycharacteristic exceeds the predefined condition; and causing theaircraft to traverse the re-created route.
 27. The process as recited inclaim 26, wherein the at least one weather intensity characteristicrepresents a weather condition.
 28. The process as recited in claim 25,wherein the merit comprises a positive or a negative value correspondingto an optimal destination or a non-optimal destination, respectively,and wherein a non-optimal destination is selected when no optimaldestinations are identified.
 29. The process as recited in claim 25,wherein the approach fix includes at least one of an initial approachfix, a final approach fix, a point from a published approach, or avisual approach fix.
 30. The process as recited in claim 25, wherein theplurality of potential destinations include airports, and whereincalculating the merit for each destination further comprises:calculating one or more runway merits, and calculating a total meritbased upon the one or more runway merits; and wherein the processor isfurther operable to selecting the destination airport based upon thecalculated total merit for each airport.
 31. The aircraft autolanddevice as recited in claim 25, wherein the at least one attribute foreach of the plurality of destinations includes at least one of a runwaylength, runway width, runway approach angle, and an airport tower. 32.The aircraft autoland device as recited in claim 25, wherein the memoryis further operable to store cartographic data, and wherein the at leastone terrain characteristic includes elevation data.
 33. The aircraftautoland device as recited in claim 25, wherein the memory is furtheroperable to store cartographic data, and wherein the at least oneterrain characteristic includes a geographic location of a body ofwater.
 34. The aircraft autoland device as recited in claim 25, whereinthe processor is further operable to receive surveillance broadcast datafrom a transponder, and wherein the at least one obstacle characteristicincludes surveillance broadcast data associated with other aircraft. 35.The aircraft autoland device as recited in claim 25, wherein the memoryis further operable to store cartographic data, and wherein the at leastone obstacle characteristic includes a geographic location of abuilding.